The day we have been preparing for has finally come! This week, a group of doctors from Geisinger Medical Center arrived at MBHOH to perform cleft lip and palate surgeries for some of the children on the second floor, affectionately dubbed “the Smile Floor.” Mikey, our MBHOH Liaison, writes about the team’s first few days:

“The Geisinger team arrived safely late Friday night and didn’t waste a minute before they ran up to check out the operating room. The most used phrase was ‘Wow…this is more than we expected!’ After a tour of the stations that will be used this week, everyone settled down for a good night’s sleep.

“We started Saturday at the ‘late’ hour of 8am. For the rest of the week, work will begin at 6am. The team jumped right in by sorting 12 suitcases full of equipment they brought with them, which took most of the morning. At lunch, Dr. DeSantis gave an amazing presentation informing all of us on what the process of surgery and healing for these children will be like. I personally was very impressed and happy to be able to sit in on the lecture. As we celebrated (Show Hope staff person) David Trask’s birthday cake at lunch, he made a comment I think is worth sharing. ‘I have worked with some of the biggest rock stars of my day, but this (the surgeries) is the highlight of my life. Its not about what you have done, it’s about what you are doing.’

“In the afternoon, the team examined the babies that were pre-identified for surgery to make sure their health was good. It was really cool to actually know what I was looking at when they examined the children, and how they would fix it.

“Sunday began early with coffee mugs in hand. We prayed in an empty room next to the OR for safety, that everything would go well, that we wouldn’t get in the way of God’s work, and that God would keep his hand over the children. After the prayer, Skylar was brought in and put under anesthesia.  After about 3 hours the team emerged from the OR and Skylar had a freshly repaired cleft lip. Everyone crowded around to see him with huge smiles on their faces.

“The doctors and OR staff took a short break to talk about the surgery and how things went, and then were ready to begin the second surgery. Oliver, who had a more complicated bilateral cleft lip, was brought in. I was honored to be able to watch the entire procedure. It was one of the highlights of my life. I know for the doctors and nurses it’s something they do nearly on a daily basis, but for me it was literally a 5-year dream come true to watch a cleft surgery performed, knowing the impact it will have on the lives of these children. It was amazing to watch the doctors work earnestly for another 3 hours!

“It was truly awesome to see every part of the team working together for these children: The nannies caring for the children before and after, the nurses prepping the children, the anesthesia team putting the child under, the doctor and nurses performing the procedure, and the post-op team moving right in to make sure the baby was stable and had everything he/she needed.”

We are constantly amazed that Show Hope sponsors support this incredible work at MBHOH and that we are given the opportunity care for these children with special needs. We can’t wait to bring you even more information about the progress of the surgical team!

Pre-surgical exams - Oliver

We are so thankful to Little Star Kids’ Gear for carrying a few of our Show Hope t-shirts!  Their store is adorable…they have anything and everything you need for your little one.  They carry the best gear for today’s babies, toddlers and kids…furniture, bedding, clothing, toys and a lot more!  You can find out more about the brands they carry by clicking on their facebook page.  Thanks for your support Little Star!!

Store Location:

539 Cool Springs Blvd. Suite 105

Franklin, TN, 37067

Phone: 615-771-9919

Show Hope is partnering with Empowered To Connect to bring the Empowered To Connect Conference to Nashville, Tennessee. This two day conference focuses on equipping families, churches and professionals to bring hope and healing to adopted and foster children. Hosted at Covenant Presbyterian Church by longtime Show Hope board members and friends of the Chapmans, Dan and Terri Coley, the conference will take place during September 10-11, 2010.

The Empowered to Connect Conference features two tracks with sessions and workshops led by Dr. Karyn Purvis and Michael and Amy Monroe. Dr. Karyn Purvis, co-author of The Connected Child, will share her research, tips and strategies for easing post-adoption family life. All participants are highly encouraged to attend sessions on both days. Professionals are eligible to receive CEU credit for their participation in the conference. Early bird registration takes place through August 11.

For more information about the conference and conference registration, please visit showhope.org/connect

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If you have been following Show Hope’s blog, you already have a sense of the wide range of medical needs being cared for at Maria’s Big House of Hope. Like Gabriel, Jesse was admitted into our care with a diagnosis of hydrocephalus (a build-up of  fluid on the brain). As a result of this condition, he struggled with prolonged sickness and feeding problems. Through the high level of medical care and attention given to him at MBHOH provided by the support of Show Hope sponsors, Jesse is now having an easier time eating. This is having a significant impact on his overall health, and we celebrate his continued improvement.

Jesse shares the Jungle Room, located on the first floor at MBHOH, with Isaac, Lola, and Franky. While he is not yet able to walk, Jesse is an expert at crawling and travels across his room at lightning speed! He loves to be active and is often found inventing his own form of rolling gymnastics on the play mats of his room.

As we celebrate both the large and small victories found in the recovering health and healing of these children, please continue to pray that these children would one day find themselves in the arms of loving forever families able to care for their needs. This hope of love and permanency in a family would have never been possible without the groundwork laid through the faithful support of Show Hope sponsors. Together, we are seeing miracles.

Steven Curtis and Mary Beth Chapman had the opportunity to go and talk with Dennis and Barbara Rainey at Family Life in Little Rock, AR.  They were able to attend a Family Life chapel service and then had a full day of interviews with them about Choosing to SEE and adoption!  Dennis and Barbara’s daughter just had twin girls in April….we can’t wait to see what they both look like in their “I Heart Show Hope” t-shirts!!

Lindsey

As it gets warmer and school lets out, kids in the United States are heading outside to play in the summer sun. The children at Maria’s Big House of Hope love doing these same things, and some of the older children like Jim and Juliana are enjoying learning to ride big wheelers and tricycles outside.

With the construction of the new playground, which is being funded by the efforts of the Natalie Wynn Carter Foundation, there is more fun in store for the children at MBHOH. These orphans will now have the opportunity they might not have had otherwise to get outside, play and be active. We cannot wait to show you more endearing photos as the playground is completed!

The Young Adult team helped this past week

“My husband Michael and I had been in the wait to adopt an infant boy from Colombia for 2 and a half years when I saw her — Melisa Joy was a beautiful little girl with spina bifida on a waiting child list. I gazed at her picture for three months without telling anyone, even my husband, because ‘we wanted a boy.’ One day, during a regular check-in call, our adoption coordinator brought up the possibility of adopting Melisa. She had no idea that I had already been thinking about this child! That night, I talked about it with my husband, and just a few weeks later we were on our way to Colombia to adopt our special little girl.

“It would have been much longer than those four and a half weeks if it was not for Show Hope sponsors. Because our adoption moved along so quickly after years of waiting, we did not have enough money. However, due to the gracious people who donate to Show Hope and the grant that was given to us, we were able to quickly travel to Colombia to bring our daughter home. She is doing wonderfully! Thank you to Show Hope and Show Hope sponsors. Our family is blessed because of your faithfulness to give.”

-Sarah Lowenberg

Emmanuel's Admission Photo 12/24/09

When Emmanuel was admitted to Maria’s Big House of Hope on Christmas Eve of 2009, his outlook seemed bleak. At only four months old, he had already been diagnosed with Congenital Heart Disease. Emmanuel arrived with five other babies; however, four of those babies were too weak and did not survive. Despite the fact that Emmanuel had quite a difficult time gaining weight and was in respiratory distress a few times during his first few months at MBHOH, he continued to fight. Jona, the nurse providing Emmanuel’s daily medical care, nicknamed him “the survivor.”

By the time Emmanuel reached seven months old, he had grown healthier and stronger thanks to the care being lavished on him at MBHOH.  In March, he became strong enough to travel to Shanghai to receive his corrective heart surgery and recently returned back to Maria’s Big House of Hope to recover under the loving watch of his nannies and the excellent medical care given by the MBHOH nurses. As he recovers, he is becoming a much happier baby who loves to be held and cuddled.

Thanks to the support of many Show Hope sponsors, Emmanuel not only received the love and attention he so desperately needed, but also a life-saving, corrective heart surgery. We hope he will soon be eligible to be adopted…will you join us in praying for both his immediate need of continued healing as well as his long-term need of a forever family?

There is no one that wears their Show Hope Style more than Mary Beth Chapman.  She has made every single t-shirt into a funky, cool outfit.  I think she has pretty much only worn Show Hope items (minus her Duke gear) since the line of clothing was revealed.  I love how she paired this vintage scarf and t-shirt with her dark jeans.  So cool Mary Beth!!

Another thing that you should know about me is that I love a great outfit…and am always trying to come up with ways to wear things in a fresh, new way.  My sisters and mom joke with me because every single time I buy something, I always let them know exactly what I’m going to wear it with….and how many things it will go with.  Well, I can’t wait to do that for y’all with all of the Show Hope clothing and merchandise.  This is going to be a recurring blog where I demonstrate how you can wear your Show Hope gear.  Feel free to send me pictures of how you make your t-shirts into hip outfits and you could make it into one of my Show Hope Style posts.  Thanks for spreading the word!!  So thankful for y’all.

Blessings,

Lindsey Wheeler

The young adult team shares more of what they have seen and learned at Maria’s Big House of Hope in the past week.

By Rachel Winters

We spent part of today at Maria’s Big House of Hope, and spent the rest of the day visiting the Jiaozuo SWI, where Show Hope has just begun operating a special care unit, like a mini-MBHOH, on one of the orphanage’s floors. Spending time at MBHOH has been both surreal and sobering, as I’ve sensed injustice in a whole new way.  As we’re faced with so many emotions and questions, it is easy to wonder why these precious little ones have been forgotten by the world’s terms, but the Lord is reminding me that they are not forgotten; instead they are valued and loved with the same love He pours out on us. Each of these children has been formed by the Creator of the universe. They have been given a purpose: to glorify Him. They each have good works prepared for them and good plans in store for them.

At the intersection of injustice and God’s glory, the body of Christ stands united – fighting injustice and waiting for his His kingdom to come. Halfway across the world from home, I’ve witnessed this here with my own eyes in every smile, every laugh, and every kiss. When the church chooses to face what the world calls ugly, undesirable, and messy, we will see Christ.

We too were orphans - adopted into a family whose love we couldn’t earn (Ephesians 1:4-5). Do we rejoice because of who our Dad is? I have been thinking about the parallels between orphaned children and my own life…with a heart full of thanks for the One we can call Father, let’s storm the heavens, praying for the ones the world knows as abandoned.

There are many different reasons why the children at Maria’s Big House of Hope are here, but in the end, they all have one thing in common. Despite their physical suffering, you can see the joy of the Lord in their eyes! Their whole face lights up when you play with them.

At times it is hard to comprehend why these children have been left without parents. It is not an easy question to wrestle with because there are no clean cut answers. However, the Lord has shown me time and time again this week that He loves these babies. He has provided a place for them to be cared for and loved at MBHOH. He has also provided for this team to love these kids while we are here.

I have noticed that often the children with the most difficult medical conditions are the ones with the most joy. They laugh without holding back, love you before they even know you, and make you feel special. God has revealed Himself mightily as a loving Father to me this week. When I look into the eyes of these sweet children, I know that the world would be a completely different place if we embraced and lived out God’s calling for us to joyfully care for the orphan.